Dinghuis (Ding House), Maastricht
Erected circa 1470, Het Dinghuis or the Ding House was the highest building in Maastricht at the time of its construction. Presiding over the administrative heart of the city, at the intersection of the Kleine Staat, the Grote Staat, the Muntstraat and the Jodenstraat, its soaring roof with the late Baroque ridge turret is still a distinguished part of Maastricht's skyline, especially if looked at from the Wyck neighborhood on the eastern bank of the Maas river.
The half-timbered Gothic façade on the north side was filled in with bricks only in 1699, while the main façade was built of Namur stone (Belgian marble) and marl right away, topped with a neoclassical pediment spanning the full width of the property, and containing a grand clock with a bell. This clock, albeit only with one hand, is still operational. At the top of the steeply sloped roof is a tower that was once used as a lookout.
The name «Dinghuis» (ding being the Dutch word for judicial assembly) is derived from the legal function – a courthouse – that this building had served originally and for a long time. Over the years, Het Dinghuis had also housed a prison (in its basement), and in 1713, for a while, functioned as a theater.
In 1860, the Dinghuis narrowly escaped demolition when the city council adopted plan to build a new street to link the Grote Staat to the Sint Servaasbrug. In the end, this plan was abandoned and the Maastrichter Brugstraat was widened instead.
After a 1974 restoration, the Maastricht Tourist Office took over the building and has remained here ever since.
The half-timbered Gothic façade on the north side was filled in with bricks only in 1699, while the main façade was built of Namur stone (Belgian marble) and marl right away, topped with a neoclassical pediment spanning the full width of the property, and containing a grand clock with a bell. This clock, albeit only with one hand, is still operational. At the top of the steeply sloped roof is a tower that was once used as a lookout.
The name «Dinghuis» (ding being the Dutch word for judicial assembly) is derived from the legal function – a courthouse – that this building had served originally and for a long time. Over the years, Het Dinghuis had also housed a prison (in its basement), and in 1713, for a while, functioned as a theater.
In 1860, the Dinghuis narrowly escaped demolition when the city council adopted plan to build a new street to link the Grote Staat to the Sint Servaasbrug. In the end, this plan was abandoned and the Maastrichter Brugstraat was widened instead.
After a 1974 restoration, the Maastricht Tourist Office took over the building and has remained here ever since.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
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Dinghuis (Ding House) on Map
Sight Name: Dinghuis (Ding House)
Sight Location: Maastricht, Netherlands (See walking tours in Maastricht)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Maastricht, Netherlands (See walking tours in Maastricht)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Maastricht, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Maastricht
Creating your own self-guided walk in Maastricht is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Maastricht Introduction Walking Tour
Maastricht is an ancient city known for its rich history, medieval architecture, and vibrant cultural scene.
In the first century AD, the Romans built a bridge across the Meuse river. A settlement grew near the bridge. Maastricht's name means "a place to cross the Meuse river". Today, a pillar marks this location of the original Roman bridge.
The Roman settlement was small,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
In the first century AD, the Romans built a bridge across the Meuse river. A settlement grew near the bridge. Maastricht's name means "a place to cross the Meuse river". Today, a pillar marks this location of the original Roman bridge.
The Roman settlement was small,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Statues and Monuments Tour
The citizens of Maastricht are reputed to be spiritual and have a good sense of humor. Their attitude towards life, as well as their customs and traditions, are vividly reflected in the numerous statues and monuments scattered throughout the city.
Among these is the Statue of Jan Pieter Minckeleers, commemorating the local inventor of gas lighting. Another notable figure is the Mooswief, also... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Among these is the Statue of Jan Pieter Minckeleers, commemorating the local inventor of gas lighting. Another notable figure is the Mooswief, also... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Maastricht's Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Founded by the Romans some 2,000 years ago, the charming city of Maastricht is one of the oldest in the Netherlands. Its long history is manifested in numerous remnants, including religious and secular buildings of any form. Over the course of the centuries, Maastricht has garnered a wealth of architecture, featuring a variety of styles: Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque and Renaissance.
Cultural... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Cultural... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Maastricht Ancient Fortification Sites
As a key meeting point for European cultures and trading routes, Maastricht for millennia had been the site of many battles. Once known as the "Bulwark of the Netherlands", the city earned its reputation thanks to the impenetrable defenses that lasted through multiple attacks on its strategic position.
The very first fortifications in Maastricht appeared around the 1200s. Some of them... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
The very first fortifications in Maastricht appeared around the 1200s. Some of them... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles